Jōhana Line

The Jōhana Line (城端線) is a railway line operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) in Toyama Prefecture, Japan. It connects Takaoka with Johana.

Route data

 * Operating Company: West Japan Railway Company (Services and tracks)
 * Distance: 29.9 km
 * Track gauge:
 * Stations: 14
 * Double-track: None
 * Electrification: Not electrified
 * Railway signalling: Special automatic occlusive (track circuit detection type)

History
The line was opened in 1897 by the Chūetsu Railway (中越鉄道) as the Chūetsu Line (中越線) between Fushiki (on the present-day Himi Line) and Jōhana via Takaoka. The line was nationalised on 1 September 1920. The Chūetsu Line was renamed the Jōhana Line from 1 August 1942 following the incorporation of the Fushiki to Takaoka section into the Himi Line.

CTC signalling was commissioned over the entire line in 1983.

From 1 April 1987, with the privatization of JNR, the Jōhana Line came under the control of West Japan Railway Company (JR West).

On 14 March 2015, Shin-Takaoka station opened on the line to coincide with the extension of the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa Station.

Former connecting lines

 * Fukuno Station: The Tonami Railway opened a 7 km line to Tsuzawa in 1915, including a connection to the Hokuriku Main Line at Isurugi. The company merged with the Kaetsu Railway in 1919, which extended the line 13 km to Shogawa-Cho in 1922. The entire line was closed on 16 September 1972.